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Ballroom Dancing The Waltz Article
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Ballroom Dancing - The Jive
from: Deb St. George - Accommodation-in-Brussels.comThe fastest of all the Latin dances would be the Jive. According to some sources the roots of this dance are in New York's Harlem area, others put the origin of the dance with the Negroes of the southeast United States where it resembled the dances of the Seminole Indians. Depending on which source you are looking at either the Negroes copied it from the Indians or the Indians copied it from the Negroes.
The Jive is a face paced, rhythmical dance that was influenced by a number of other dance styles including Boogie, Rock, African American Swing and the Lindyhop. In the late 1800's the Negroes in the south held Jive competitions where the prize was a cake which is how the dance became known for a while as the Cake Walk.
Unlike the other ballroom dances the Jive doesn't require moving around the dance floor, however, even though it looks like the dancers feet are flying every which way the feet should be directly under the body with the knees always close together. You'll see the woman being twirled a lot and lots of kicks. The music that is associated with the Jive is commonly called Ragtime, possibly because the participants dressed up in their finest clothes ("rags") or maybe because of the syncopation of the music giving it a ragged feel.
Ballroom Dancing - The Samba
When the Samba music plays its party time! The Samba originated with Brazil's Rio Carnival and is comprised of several different South American dances. While walking and side steps are the main moves with heavy hitting rhythm and lots of hip action the Samba is the perfect party dance.
Slaves imported into Portugal in the 16th century brought along their dances (a few of which are the Catarete, Embolada and the Batuque). Europeans thought these dances were quite sinful as the dancers were close enough to have their navels touching. The Batuque was an incredibly popular dance - so much so that at one time it was outlawed. The Batuque was done in a circle with dance steps resembling those of a Charleston with a solo dancer in the center of the circle. Down the line carnival steps were added and members of Rio's high society decided that once the dance had been modified to use the closed ballroom position it was then a proper dance.
Eventually aspects from all these dances and probably others combined emerging as the Samba we know today.
Some things the judges watch for in a good Samba are steps like the Volta (crossing in front of the body), the Samba Roll (moving the upper body in a circular motion while going through a six step turn), Botafogo (traveling walk that includes a direction change) and dancers who have a good balance of moving and stationary moves. They will also look for outstretched arms and the distinctive climax of the Samba where the dancers throw their heads back and their arms are splayed out to the side.
Ballroom Dancing The Waltz News
Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta Dancers to Compete at Dancing Stars of Atlanta ... - PR Web (press release)
 PR Web (press release) | Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta Dancers to Compete at Dancing Stars of Atlanta ... PR Web (press release) Ballroom dancers give back to help support Alzheimer's awareness and research at Dancing Stars of Atlanta event Saturday June 2, 2012. No stranger to dancing for a good cause, Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta's talented crew of professional dancers and ... |
Auburn's Pacific Ballroom Dance to perform concert - Auburn Reporter
Auburn's Pacific Ballroom Dance to perform concert Auburn Reporter Pacific Ballroom Dance presents "Dance Into The Light", a showcase of originally choreographed ballroom dances, featuring Washington's youth ballroom formation teams. The PBD's eighth annual concert has three performances, with evening shows at 7 on ... |
World's best ballroom dancers set to perform in Charlotte - Spartanburg Herald Journal
World's best ballroom dancers set to perform in Charlotte Spartanburg Herald Journal That many of the best ballroom dancers in the world, on the stage at the same time, can make you want to blush or hop up out of your seat and dance along. Where: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, ... |
Asin learns Waltz dance - Hindustan Times
 Hindustan Times | Asin learns Waltz dance Hindustan Times Actor Asin has learnt the graceful dance form of waltz for a sequence in the ad of a prominent endorsement. In a remarkably short while, the actor mastered the steps of the intricate the ballroom-style dance of Viennese Waltz, required for the ad! |
Dancing With The Stars 2012: Semi-finals week, four couples left - Washington Times
 Washington Times | Dancing With The Stars 2012: Semi-finals week, four couples left Washington Times Each couple will dance a new Latin dance, and a new ballroom dance. Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd dance the Waltz and Samba. Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas perform the Salsa and Quick Step. Maria Menounos and Derek Hough drew the Jive and ... 'Dancing with the Stars' axes Maria Menounos and partner Derek Hough 'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Semifinal shake-ups and breakdowns Dancing with the Stars: Katherine Jenkins's injury seems minor, singer tweets ... |
Who should dance again on all-star season of 'Dancing with the Stars'? - Examiner.com
Who should dance again on all-star season of 'Dancing with the Stars'? Examiner.com After her first dance, the Viennese Waltz, the judges were amazed at Kelly's grace and awarded her with strong scores. Throughout the season, the reality TV star developed into a truly beautiful ballroom dancer. In the finals, her Argentine Tango ... |
Has Donald Driver reached his last waltz? - Boston Herald
 Celebrity Dirty Laundry | Has Donald Driver reached his last waltz? Boston Herald By Michael A. Hunt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel MILWAUKEE — A couple of weeks ago at the NFL draft, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy danced around questions of a 14th season for Donald Driver in Green Bay. Anticipating they would be asked about the ... Donald Driver Dancing With The Stars Waltz Performance Video 5/14/12 'Dancing with the Stars' 2012 Semi-Finals Recap: Donald Driver Is Fierce Donald Delivers in "Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals |